Mohammed Siraj is brilliant – Aakash Chopra picks India’s spearhead for their pace battery in Asia Cup and World Cup

As India line up for two mega battles in the form of Asia Cup and World Cup in a span of the next two months, one of the major talking points for the Men in Blue has been their bowling attack. With Jasprit Bumrah returning to the side, it is expected that he will be leading the Indian pace battery.

However, if there has been one man who has been consistently delivering in the past one year has been none other than Mohammed Siraj. Miyan has reigned supreme over various bilateral series and his form also extended itself to the WTC final, where Siraj was in fine touch. 

In the upcoming Asia Cup, Mohammed Siraj will be accompanied by Bumrah and Mohammed Shami in India’s pace department. Going by the numbers in the Indian subcontinent, Siraj’s statistics have been the most encouraging in the past one year.

In the 17 ODIs played, Siraj has secured 35 scalps at an average of 16.57 and a miserly economy rate of 4.51. More importantly, Siraj has been a part of 29 dismissals in 14 ODIs in India at an average of 15.44 and an economy rate of 4.33.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said, “Mohammed Siraj is brilliant. He has had a short career. 43 wickets in 24 matches at an average of 20.7 and an economy rate of 4.78. They are better than both Bumrah's and Shami's numbers. In Asia, his average becomes 16.57 and the economy rate is 4.51.”

He further added, “You cannot play anyone. You will have to play Siraj only". His numbers in Asia are better than his numbers outside Asia. So, people who were talking about whether Shardul Thakur or Prasidh Krishna can be played instead of Siraj, you cannot play anyone. You will have to play Siraj only. You should play him.”

Chopra concluded by saying, “Jasprit Bumrah has picked up 121 wickets in 72 matches at an average of 24.3 and an economy rate of 4.63. He is brilliant - nearly two wickets per game. In Asia also, his average is 23.9 and he has an economy rate of 4.65. These are phenomenal numbers."